Q: Does Huntington's trademarked "welcome" prohibit if I say "Welcome to Crossnik Media" in a single advertisement?
I have a business called Crossnik Media. We are getting ready to run an introductory ad with the goal of getting some brand recognition for our new local business in Midland, MI. At the end, we say "Welcome to Crossnik Media", because throughout the ad, we're explaining our motivation for why we created our company. Does Huntington's "Welcome" keep us from having the right to say Welcome to Crossnik Media?
A: In order to give definitive advice to you I would want to know all of the facts, including your proposed use, but I can say for certain that the bank does not have exclusive rights to that the word "welcome". I don't see any possibility of confusion if you are using "welcome to" without the word "Huntington" or its logo, which is an important test in trademark law. Huntington apparently has trademark rights in "Huntington welcome" but could not have trademark rights in the word "welcome" on its own.
Timothy John Billick agrees with this answer
A: Issues may arise if your goods and or services are similar to those of the goods and or services of another business using WELCOME. Otherwise likely not. However you should be advised by Trademark Counsel.
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